2026 Running Back Stock-Risers

One of my favorite things about scouting for Prep Redzone is getting to highlight players who have made moves in our rankings, especially if those players aren't elite recruits with dozens of offers. That's why Stock-Risers is one of my favorite series to write. This week, we're highlighting the class of 2026 and here we look at a few running backs who have seen their stock soar in recent months.   As an aside, any time we use the evaluation feature for an article, that eval will live on a player's profile until the next time we write about them. So even if you lose the article in the internet, you'll still be able to see the evaluation by clicking a player's profile. Neat stuff! Now, our top running back stock-risers.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Stock-Risers: Running Backs </h2>    After breaking out as a freshman, Gallos didn't get as much run as a sophomore, battling injuries and the depth chart, but he took some solid steps forward this offseason in the weight room. In a running back class that lacks a bit at the top, Gallos could be a guy who has a strong junior year and propels himself into the conversation for the top running back prospect in the state. Gallos has a low-to-the-ground, compact running style that makes it difficult for defenders to square him up and strop his forward momentum.     A transfer from Sanderson, McCullers has already put up excellent numbers through two years. Now, his work in the weight room is really showing as he looks noticably bigger heading into the 2024 season. McCullers has good vision and burstt once he hits the hole, plus the breakaway speed to take long runs all the way to the end zone.     While Wilson didn't have the best numbers in the state last season, he did show good burst as a running back while still being one of the smallest guys on the field. He's put in the work this offseason to get a bit bigger, which shoudl serve him well. He's slippery, and with some more time in the weight room, he shoud get better at running through arm tackles and breaking off bigger gains.     Wingate enjoyed a breakout season last year, running for over 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. Now, he's bulked up even more and is a considerable load to bring down. He still retained his quickness though and has the burst to get to the edge and the top-end speed to outrun defenses. I'm a big fan of Wingate's and think he could have an even better year in 2024.     McGriff is neither the biggest nor the fastest running back you'll find in the Tar Heel State, but he's an extremely patient runner with good vision. He was mostly a backup last season, but flashed late in some games and should have a much bigger role in 2024. He has the tools to contribute extensively as a receiver out of the backfield, so that's a part of his game I'm expecting to take a step forward this year.

One of my favorite things about scouting for Prep Redzone is getting to highlight players who have made moves in our rankings, especially if those players aren't elite recruits with dozens of offers. That's why Stock-Risers is one of my favorite series to write. This week, we're highlighting the class of 2026 and here we look at a few running backs who have seen their stock soar in recent months.